A MAN faces up to 20 years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to using a large knife to rob a service station south of Tamworth.
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Bo Matthews smiled at family as he was led into the dock of Tamworth Local Court, flanked by two Corrective Services' officers.
The 24-year-old was armed with a large knife when he walked into the Single Street Caltex service station in Werris Creek, about 7.30pm on March 23.
Using a jacket to try and shield his identity, he demanded money from the employee and then fled with a sum of cash.
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Police released CCTV images as part of their investigation, before homing in on Matthews as their prime suspect three days later.
Matthews was being hunted by police for his involvement in the hold-up, when they found him hiding in the boot of a Holden Commodore at a Henry Street property in Werris Creek.
He was charged with three offences and has been behind bars ever since.
On Wednesday, Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) solicitor Tess Mulock said her client was pleading guilty to one count of robbery armed with an offensive weapon - a charge that carries a maximum of 20 years' imprisonment.
DPP solicitor Andrew Baker tendered a bundle of documents including a case conference and charge certificate as well as a criminal history, confirming the guilty plea to the main charge.
He said Matthews' other charges of larceny and destroying property would be dealt with on a form one certificate and taken into account in sentencing for the robbery offence.
Magistrate Julie Soars committed Matthews to the Tamworth District Court for sentencing, but it's unknown when it'll be dealt with.
Ms Mulock said another matter needed to go over to February for charge certification, for the DPP to finalise its case, and she wanted it to be dealt with altogether.
"Both [are] marked bail not applied for, refused," Ms Soars said.
Matthews will remain in custody ahead of sentencing next year.